Arsene Wenger admitted he will go back in for Monaco's Thomas LemarCredit: Rex Features

7

Thomas Lemar rejected a move to Arsenal in favour of staying at MonacoCredit: Rex Features

After confirming that Arsenal made the offer for Lemar, Wenger was asked whether he would make a second attempt in January.

He replied: “Also, yes. I think he's a player who has an enormous availability - he's always available on the pitch.

“It's when you realise that he's always ready to receive the ball, and he's a very complete, balanced player who can defend. "You could see on the goal he scored that he is concerned with quality of the action.

"He didn't focus on power, he focused on quality, so his action becomes a pure one, because he's relaxed and at the same time focused on the technical gesture."

ANY DEFENCE?

OZ' THAT?

Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil sends fans into frenzy with what he did during Germany v Czech Republic

Jack Rant

Jack Wilshere fires sly dig at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger because he 'can't get a game'

7

Kylian Mbappe was also a target for Arsenal but they were priced out of a moveCredit: Rex Features

Asked on Telefoot in France whether he tried to sign Mbappe, Wenger said: “Yes. But 180 million is a bit high. For 90 per cent of players, their careers depend on the club they choose and where they are.

“But 10 per cent can go where they like. He is among those. All of his choices are good. I think he can be like Pele - there are no limits to his game.

"Why? Because he's only 18 and he is going to gain in strength and when you see the difference he makes with his runs it's enormous.

“And he has a balanced game for a forward in that he scores and he makes others score. The very best players do this.

7

Kylian Mbappe joined PSG on loan but they have an obligation to buy him for £166million at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex Features

7

Alexis Sanchez's move to Manchester City was scuppered because of Thomas LemarCredit: PA:Press Association

"The best strikers are obsessed with scoring, and already at the age of 18 he is mature enough to know when to finish himself or when to help others finish.

“He has no limits. You can't predict things exactly, but look at the aura of confidence and charisma he gives off in his interviews.

"You could never guess he's 18, he sounds 24 or 25. He's part of a generation that is mature very quickly and has the charisma required to handle the pressure. It depends on how far he wants to go.

"Is he capable of pushing himself all the time, it comes down to the endurance level of his motivation, which is something you can measure quite easily at 18.

"If he has that, he will go very, very far."

7

Arsene Wenger revealed he tried to get both Thomas Lemar and Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty - Contributor